Dr Shaw had another reassuring smile and made deliberate eye contact as she brought another handful of things to the bed. “Tyler, this time we’ll take a rectal temperature,” gloves snapped on as she spoke, “since we need something more accurate.” The colour drained from Tylers face. He couldn’t remember the last time he had that done. He presumed it happened when he was a baby, but even his paediatrician took it in his mouth or ear. “Lie down on your tummy and pull your pants down a bit.” Tyler hear the instructions but didn’t move to follow them, instead looking at the little case on the bed, presumably containing whatever was going to be… inserted…

Beth squeezed in between the doctor and her son, putting a hand on his shoulder pressing him down into the bed and whispering that he’s better do what he was told. Tyler didn’t know what to say or do to get out of the situation, and so reluctantly turned so he was lying on his stomach with his face away from both the doctor and his mom. He raised his hips slightly to let his pyjama pants and underwear be pulled down as he buried his face in the pillow.

“This will feel a little cold now, just take a few deep breaths and relax.” Despite what the doctor said, Tyler did not breathe deeply or relax. Dr Shaw watched his sphincter stay tight and tense, but the thermometer tip was narrow and well-lubricated, so with some pressure it slipped in regardless. Tylers toes curled and hips twisted at the insertion, but the doctor held the thermometer firmly to stop it from moving. Nobody spoke, or made any noise, until a quiet beep allowed the doctor to remove the thing intruding into his butt. Immediately he pulled his clothes back up to his waist and turned on his back, adding multiple layers of protection between his sphincter and the people in the room.

The doctor gave another warm and reassuring smile, as if they were friends having coffee rather than someone who had just been inserting things into his butt. “Ok Tyler,” the gloves snapped off ad the doctor replaced things in her bag “that’s a little higher than we’d like it to be. Have you had any other symptoms apart from stomach cramps?” Tyler shook his head.

“Well,” Beth interjected, “I think you took a few trips to the bathroom during the night.” Tyler’s face went a deeper shade of red. The doctor nodded, speaking to his mother instead of Tyler. “That often does occur with stomach problems, it could be a virus that is going around. I think it would be a good idea to do a quick rectal exam, especially since you are an adult now anyway Tyler. And we want to make sure you miss as little school as possible during exam time.”

Tyler would rather sit a hundred math finals than have a medical exam, especially like this one. The doctor walked over to Beth, but made sure Tyler could hear what was being said. “I know you’re concerned about Tylers health, but why don’t you give us a little privacy for the rest of the examination, ok?” Beth nodded and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Tyler didn’t know whether to be happy his mom was gone, or terrified about the rest of the examination… “Ok Tyler,” the doctor’s voice pulled him back to reality. “Take the rest of your clothes off and sit back on the bed. Have you had a rectal exam before?”

“No.” Tyler shook his head as he stood to take off his clothes, hiding his underwear under his trousers. As he sat on the edge of the bed he folded his hands over his crotch to give himself as much modesty as he could manage. “Ok then, it’s a little bit uncomfortable but nothing should hurt.” The doctor started explaining while getting more gloves and other things Tyler couldn’t see from the bag. “If you do feel any pain, let me know immediately and we can stop. Now for this you can get onto your elbows and knees, with your head toward the wall.

Tyler did as he was told, wanting to object but not knowing how. Once in position, he felt the doctor place one hand on the small of his back, clenching involuntarily. “It’s normal to be nervous Tyler. Can you cough for me?” Tyler wanted to die of embarrassment when he realised what she would see when he did, but again, did was he was told. The doctor watched as his sphincter opened slightly, showing a healthy appearance. “You’ll feel my finger now, it will be cool.”

Cool was an understatement, icy lube was spread around the outside of his butt. Every second seemed to take an hour while he was in this humiliating position. “Deep breath in… Aaaand exhale…” During the exhale, the doctor firmly pressed until her finger slipped inside. Tyler held his breath without meaning to as the finger pressed deeper, sweeping around to prove every inch. “Just a quick prostate check next.” The doctor announced as it was already happening. Tyler let out a soft grunt and jerked his hips as he felt a jolt, but the hand on his back stopped him from going too far. Eventually, the doctor withdrew the finger and left Tyler with a very strange sensation across his rectum.